DESTRUCTION Live Concert Review (2022)!

Posted on May 17, 2022 by Michael Juvinall in Chicago, Concert Review, Exclusives, Heavy Metal // 0 Comments

DESTRUCTION Live Concert Review (2022)

Venue: Reggies – Chicago, Illinois
Date: May 6, 2022
Special guests: NERVOSA, SUNLORD, VX36, VICIOUS ATTACK
Reviewed by Michael Juvinall – Horror Patch
All photos © Michael L. Juvinall / Monu-Metal Photography – All Rights Reserved

There’s something about the Teutonic (German) thrash metal subgenre I have loved since I was a teen metalhead. Destruction has always been one of my favorite bands ever since they released their first EP in 1984, but they formed in 1982. Destruction is part of the Big 4 of Teutonic thrash metal along with Kreator, Sodom, and Tankard.

Being from Germany, the band doesn’t get to tour the U.S. that often, so it’s always a big deal when they’re able to come tour the states. I was in Chicago at Reggies Rock Club to check out the band. The band is touring in support of their recently released album, Diabolical.

DESTRUCTION

The band stormed the stage with their usual intensity. They opened the show with the title track to their newest album, “Diabolical”.

Before continuing with the review I wanted to take a sec to say their stage lighting was seriously flawed. The band was in shadow for the entire set. There seemed to be little to no front lighting and they were mostly lit from behind. I’m not sure if this was by choice of the band or just bad lighting from the venue. The other bands on the bill were not lit like this, so I have to assume is was the band’s choice. With such terrible lighting, it was extremely hard to shoot photos of the band and get video.

The band continued thrashing and tearing up the stage with a nice array of songs from their storied career. A few of the song highlights for me were “Mad Butcher”, “Born To Perish”, “Curse the Gods”, “Bestial Invasion” and more.

The band fairly recently had some lineup changes. When longtime founding member Mike left the band a couple of years ago, two new guitarists were added, and went from a trio to a quartet. The extra guitar adds much-needed depth to their sound. All members of the band are extremely talented musicians and excel in a live environment.

The crowd was totally into the band and were so revved up they were hard to contain. The pit was in full effect for most of the set. Destruction is one of those bands that continue to impress me every time I get the chance to see them perform. They put on a show that’s not to be missed.

4.5 out of 5 Pentagrams! (Note: I have to subtract a half Pentagram due to the shitty lighting)

Setlist

Diabolical
Death Trap
Nailed to the Cross
Mad Butcher
Repent Your Sins
Born to Perish
No Faith in Humanity
Life Without Sense
Release From Agony
Tormentor
The Butcher Strikes Back
Tormented Soul
Inspired by Death

Encore:

Curse the Gods
Thrash Till Death
Bestial Invasion

NERVOSA

For those not in the know, Nervosa is an international (mostly Brazilian and Spanish) all-female death-thrash metal band. They’ve been in existence since 2010 with four albums under their belts. The only consistent member of the band is founder and lead guitarist Prika Amaral. The band has had its fair share of members over the years, but the current lineup consists of Amaral (Lead guitar), Diva Satánica (Vocals), Mia Wallace (Bass), and Eleni Nota (Drums).

I’ve been wanting to see these gals live since their inception and only now was I able to make that come true. One thing to know about this band is they kick all forms of metal ass! They are true musicians and are heavy as hell.

Their set was killer with hits from top to bottom beginning with “Kings Of Domination”. Most of the songs in their set are from their latest album, Perpetual Chaos because this is the album that all current members played on. There are a few other songs from previous albums as well.

If anyone were to think that because these are women, they can’t play extreme metal as well as the guys…you would be dead wrong. Nerovsa is just as brutal as any other band out there. These girls are a must-see!

4 out of 5 Pentagrams!

Setlist

Kings of Domination
Genocidal Command
Death!
Time to Fight
Kill the Silence
Perpetual Chaos
Blood Eagle
Masked Betrayer
Rebel Soul
Into Moshpit
Guided By Evil
Under Ruins

SUNLORD

Sunlord is an NYC-based heavy metal band. This trio was great musicians but unfortunately put on a very boring show. There was hardly any movement by the band and were pretty much stagnant on stage.

Alfonso Ferrazza is the vocalist/guitarist and original member. Ashley Wells is their touring bassist. She looks like an adult Wednesday Adams (Not a bad thing) but looked bored as if she didn’t want to be there and everyone could tell.

The only good thing about their set was the amazing guitar solos by Ferrazza. Otherwise, it was a bust.

2 out of 5 Pentagrams!

Setlist

Miserable Gods
Like A Champion
Burning Saint
The Vigilante
Do Your Pushups
Forbidden Witch
Turn Me Loose

VX36

VX36 (No clue what their name refers to) is a speed-thrash metal band based out of Santa Rosa, California. They have been a band since 2004 and have two albums they have released and are working on their third album right now.

To be honest, I’d never heard of this band before but they impressed me. They are a very good band with a heavy sound. They were energetic on stage, especially the lead singer/guitarist Nate Klug.

I would definitely like to see these guys perform again and I will be checking them out further online.

3.5 out of 5 Pentagrams!

Setlist

Intro.
Fire and Death
The Executioner
Satan’s Fury
Nightmare
Looking Through The Eyes Of A Dead Man
Times In Turmoil

VICIOUS ATTACK

Chicago-based death-thrash metal band formed in 2007. So far they have released two EPs and two split-releases. Their first full-length album, Declaration Of War was released in 2021.

Yes, they are a local Chicago band but have put in the required work to make themselves visible to the world. They were a great live band with a highly energetic group of guys. Pretty heavy stuff here. Check them out if you can.